Beorn - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

skytree · 01-01-2009, 07:37 PM

What is the nature of Beorn? I know Tolkien only makes one reference to him in a letter as man but he was constantly revising much of his mythos.

Beorn may have been mortal but clearly he was more than a man. His role in the Hobbit is more nature or the animal kingdom personified and his role seems to be as a force of nature. He seems to be an anomaly like Tom Bombadil.

Clearly his size is more consistent with being a giant than a man. His description in the chapter Queer Lodgings would place his height at around 12-14 feet if one considers Bilbo around 3 1/2 feet tall. Almost singularly he turned the tide and broke an army of Orcs and Wargs that a combined force of Elves, Battle hardened Dwarves under Dain, Men, Great Eagles and an Istari was losing to. He was tossing Orcs and Wargs like straw and feathers. One can only envision an enormous bear scattering orcs by the score with swipes of gigantic paws.

If he was a man he would have to had an incredible origin as he would have to be considered one of the powers of middle earth in his lifetime.

01-01-2009, 07:37 PM	#1
skytree Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 51	Beorn What is the nature of Beorn? I know Tolkien only makes one reference to him in a letter as man but he was constantly revising much of his mythos. Beorn may have been mortal but clearly he was more than a man. His role in the Hobbit is more nature or the animal kingdom personified and his role seems to be as a force of nature. He seems to be an anomaly like Tom Bombadil. Clearly his size is more consistent with being a giant than a man. His description in the chapter Queer Lodgings would place his height at around 12-14 feet if one considers Bilbo around 3 1/2 feet tall. Almost singularly he turned the tide and broke an army of Orcs and Wargs that a combined force of Elves, Battle hardened Dwarves under Dain, Men, Great Eagles and an Istari was losing to. He was tossing Orcs and Wargs like straw and feathers. One can only envision an enormous bear scattering orcs by the score with swipes of gigantic paws. If he was a man he would have to had an incredible origin as he would have to be considered one of the powers of middle earth in his lifetime.